However many of the petitions concentrated on smaller issues and many of these were recognised by The Committee and were given more consideration. Agreements known as assurances and undertakings were

given on a range of issues including construction traffic numbers and routes, timing of utility works and effects on individuals’ homes.

H.O.A.C was a big priority in the Hillingdon petitions and whilst there has been no agreement to save it in it’s current form, there are plans to relocate the facility.This is really disappointing and not the outcome

we or H.O.A.C hoped for.We aim to have updates soon on any progress made.

There were only small concessions made to the mitigation measures we were seeking but we have at least secured the opportunity to continue to have an input into how HS2 is planned – should it ever go ahead.

Appearances

You can watch a session of the main community petition for Ruislip HERE from 11.10a.m

You can watch a session of the main community petition from Harefield Tenants and Residents Association HERE from 15.14p.m

You can watch a session from the main community petition from Ickenham Residents Association HERE from 9.29 a.m

You can watch a session of some of the Hillingdon Councillors making the case on behalf of residents from across the borough HERE from 15.13p.m

(Please be aware some of these links may take some time to load)

Tunnel Depth

A major development arose from the process. During presentations from Ruislip, HS2Ltd suddenly introduced new information concerning the depth of the proposed tunnel.

For over 3 years we had been led to believe that the tunnel would be 30metres deep under properties, but now we know it could be as little as half that in some areas.

Unfortunately this was revealed after all the Ruislip petitions had been heard.

HAHS2 made a formal complaint to the Chair of the Committee and HS2Ltd’s QC was forced to issue us with an apology.

This however remains a big issue,not least because residents have been misled about tunnel depth and HS2Ltd have yet to give a satisfactory explanation – despite requests and follow up meetings,

but more importantly because it makes a significant difference to the level of vibration and settlement to properties that could occur.

We are very concerned that the HS2Ltd arguments put to, and accepted by The Committee,in rejecting our arguments,were based on inaccurate tunnel depths.

You can watch the session HERE from 9.31a.m where the mistake was acknowledged. It also goes on to feature Nick Hurd MP and Boris Johnson MP and their evidence in the final summing up of all Hillingdon’s petitions.

You can see the guide to settlement that HS2Ltd have produced in response HERE – though this has not been sent to those affected it was simply added to their website.

As a result of the first round of petitioning, some amendments have been made to the HS2 Bill and these are known as ‘additional provisions’. We are now up to the 4th set of amendments ( AP4s) and these

petitions for Hillingdon are being heard next week.

You can follow the developments and watch live appearances from residents in Ickenham, Harefield and Hillingdon Council this coming week on Monday 25th January HERE

You can use the same link to keep up with all the remaining petitions from the whole route.

Our fight to extend the Ruislip Tunnel hasn’t ended. HAHS2 will continue to push for this further mitigation and our MPs Nick Hurd and Boris Johnson support our calls for more to be done to protect

our local environment and continue to put pressure on Government.

Once the House of Commons Select Committee have finished hearing all the petitions from the whole route,we have the option to progress our case to The House of Lords.

Boris Johnson

As you will be aware Boris Johnson has taken over from Sir John Randall as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Whilst Boris, as Mayor of London,was already aware of the main issues affecting his constituency and those

affecting Hillingdon as a whole, HAHS2 have made it a priority to establish a good relationship with him so that we can continue to communicate regularly with him on HS2 matters. We have had several meetings with him

We have had advance notice form HS2Ltd that they will be holding an information event on 8th March in Ickenham. This will be a one off event to cover the whole of the affected areas including Ruislip and Harefield.

Please save the date and make an effort to come along if you can.

Ickenham Village Hall – Swakeleys Road, Ickenham from 2.00pm – 7.00pm

HAHS2 will be aiming to have an alternative information stand outside the event. Please see our Website and Facebook page for more details nearer the time.

What Next ?

The next major event on the calendar for 2016 is the Mayoral election in May.

HAHS2 are aiming to meet with all the candidates – as we did last time around! We shall be trying to highlight HS2 as an election issue – but we need your help!

Ways to Help

Please take some time to contact some of the Mayoral candidates and let them know how important an issue HS2 is, and we will aim to keep you updated on their positions.